INSIDE THE WHITE SOX.

Sturtze Gets Rocked, Then A Surprise--trip To Majors

September 27, 1999|By Teddy Greenstein, Tribune Staff Writer.

MINNEAPOLIS — Tanyon Sturtze has had plenty of highs and lows in his 10-year professional career. But nothing can top what transpired Saturday night, when he experienced the complete range of emotions within minutes.

Sturtze got shelled in the deciding Game 5 of the Class AAA World Series as Vancouver defeated Charlotte 16-2. But as Sturtze was being removed from the game, Charlotte manager Tom Spencer approached the mound to give him some stunning news.

Sturtze was one of three players the White Sox added to their roster Sunday as they beat Minnesota 3-0. Lefty reliever Scott Eyre was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list after recovering from a shoulder impingement, and Jeff Liefer, who hit .237 in 39 games with the Sox, was promoted after batting .339 with nine homers in 34 games after his demotion.

"I want to see what adjustments (Liefer) made since he was here," Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. "I want to see him swing the bat."

Sturtze, 28, was 9-4 with a 4.05 earned-run average for Charlotte. A 6-foot-5-inch right-hander who went 2-1 with an 8.47 ERA in stints with the Cubs and Rangers, Sturtze would have become a free agent had the Sox not promoted him.

"We'd rather see him once or twice than let him walk," Sox General Manager Ron Schueler said. "He's been throwing really well."

Sturtze has recovered from rotator-cuff surgery in February 1998.

The elusive one: When it comes to shutouts, James Baldwin continues to get shut out.

Baldwin has started 118 major-league games and has yet to hold the opposition scoreless for nine innings.

He came close Sunday, blanking the Twins for eight innings. But after walking Matt Lawton to start the ninth, Baldwin was pulled in favor of Bob Howry.

"Winning the ballgame is the most important thing," Manuel said.

Baldwin, who threw a season-high 120 pitches, could not disagree with Manuel's decision.

"He gave me the opportunity to go out there (in the ninth) but I couldn't complete it."

Other moves: To make room on the 40-man roster for Sturtze, the Sox designated first baseman Mario Valdez for assignment. Valdez, who played 54 games for the Sox in 1997, hit .274 with 26 homers for Charlotte.

"He had a couple of good years (in the minors)," Schueler said, "but guys have moved in front of him."

Schueler declined to promote Jeff Abbott, saying he didn't want to cut into the playing time of his other young outfielders.

The Sox also intend to let Dave Hollins become a free agent, citing his lack of range at third base.

Fashion show: If Manuel needed a reminder of how young his team is, he got it en route to Minneapolis from New York.

The Sox rookies took part in a rite of passage, donning colorful outfits and costumes on the team bus and plane.